AIR ambulance medics flew a four-year-old boy to hospital after a collision in Crewe this afternoon.

Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses to the incident which took place on West Street, just after 1pm.

They said a bus travelling near to the junction with Ford Lane "hit" a pram being pushed by the boy's mother.

An eye witness, who called the emergency services, Lauren Bibby, told Nub News she has given a statement to officers that the boy was "hit by a passing car", while his mum was looking after her baby in the pram.

The North West Air Ambulance helicopter landed on King Georges' Playing Fields (see above) to airlift the boy to Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool.

Ms Bibby said that at the scene the youngster appeared to be unconscious for a short time.

Police say the extent of the his injuries are not known.

She said: "I heard a bang. The mother started screaming and I ran across to them and saw her scoop her child up and ran towards the corner of the bookies shop where she sat on the floor with him.

"I was on the phone to the paramedics and knelt down to the child and mother. He got knocked over by a black family car after he ran onto the road."

West Street was closed to traffic from its junction with Ford Lane at which police set up an accident investigation scene.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "A four-year-old boy was injured as a result of the incident.

"He was airlifted to Alder Hey Hospital; the full extent of his injuries are unknown at this time."

A walker in Queens Park, who saw the air ambulance alight on the playing field, said: "I saw a helicopter hovering over West Street. I initially thought it was a police helicopter, but as it landed on the far side of the playing fields next to the skatepark I could see its yellow colour.

"A road ambulance was already in attendance and the two helicopter paramedics immediately went over to it. It's terrible to hear about it and I hope the child involved makes a full recovery."

Motorists were advised to avoid the West Street area of Crewe for the rest of the afternoon.

An appeal for witnesses has been made and anyone with any information about the collision is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 908132.